Alfred T. LaTour Sr. Alfred T. LaTour, Sr., 89, of Utica, N.Y. died Sunday, May 8, 2011, at Faxton-St. Luke's Healthcare Center, with his loving family by his side. Alfred was born in Bennington, Vt., the son of Omer LaTour and Mildred Bates. He was educated in Shaftsbury and Bennington, Vt. On January 12, 1943 in North Bennington, he married Evelyn Myers, with whom he shared 50 years of marriage, until her death in 1993. Alfred and Evelyn raised nine children in Vermont and New York, where Alfred was a professional graphic arts photographer. In Vermont, Alfred was employed by Polygraphic and at one time operated his own business, Benn Litho. In Utica, he worked for many years for Vicks Lithograph and Printing. Alfred served as a First Sergeant in the U.S. Army and was a veteran of World War II. Among Alfred's many affiliations in the community and with the Catholic Church were the Utica Council # 189 of the Knights of Columbus (its 4th degree assembly and Faithful Navigator), the Malsan-Jones V.F.W. Post #7393, the American Legion Utica Post #229, the Craftsman's Club, the Altar Rosary Society and the Legion of Mary. He also was commissioned as a lay minister, served on the Bishop's Advisory Council and was a religious educator for St. Francis deSales and Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Churches in Utica. Alfred is survived by his sons and daughters, Alfred Jr. and Annette LaTour of Pownal, Vt., Frederick and Diane LaTour of Utica, N.Y., Lawrence A. and Maryann LaTour of Liverpool, N.Y., Christopher and Karen LaTour of Utica, N.Y., Joseph and Margaret LaTour of Whitesboro, N.Y., Richard and Judy LaTour of Rome, N.Y., and Scott LaTour, Donna LaTour Elefante and Evelyn and Frank Amerosa all of Utica. He also leaves 24 grandchildren; 31 great grandchildren; and five great-great grandchildren. He was predeceased by his wife Evelyn and their son Arthur; also, by his sisters, Beatrice Bump and Flora Winchell. Alfred will be remembered for his devotion to his faith and his family, for his generous spirit, infectious smile, unfailing sense of humor and uncommon wisdom. He entered a room with a pronounced bounce to his step and a beguiling twinkle in his eye. At the Knights of Columbus or the legion or in service to his church, he was a charismatic personality and a genuinely kind and compassionate gentleman. Mostly, Alfred was more than the life of the party, he was the party. He had a passion for golf and for many years crafted clubs for friends and family. Alfred was a devout Catholic who spent countless hours reading scripture. He also was a constant presence at Our Lady of Lourdes, where he served as a lay minister. His love of children was evident at every family event, where he was surrounded by generations of LaTours in both the Utica area and Vermont. The family offers a special thank you to the staff on Westchester Household at Masonic Home. Donations may be made in Alfred's memory to Evelyn's House, in care of the Family Nurturing Center at 209 Elizabeth Street, Utica, NY 13501. FUNERAL NOTICE: The funeral will be Thursday at 8:45 a.m. from the Bentz & Amodio Funeral Service, Inc., 470 French Rd, Utica, and 9:30 a.m. from Our Lady of Lourdes Church, where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated. Visitation will be on Wednesday from 5 to 8 p.m. Alfred will be laid to rest at Center Shaftsbury Cemetery, Shaftsbury, Vt. Cemetery, where a graveside service will be conducted on Friday at 12 p.m.
Published in Bennington Banner from May 10 to May 11, 2011